Razor having movable blade-carrying drawer

ABSTRACT

A SAFETY RAZOR ASSEMBLY IN WHICH A BLADE-CARRYING DRAWER IS SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN THE RAZOR HEAD AND IS MOVABLE FORWARDLY INTO A LATCH SHAVING POSITION WITH ASSOCIATED GUARD MEANS, AND UPON RELEASE OF THE LATCH MEANS A SPRING IS EFFECTIVE TO MOVE THE DRAWER TO A RETRACTED POSITION WHEREIN A USED BLADE MAY BE READILY REPLACED, THE DRAWER HAVING THEREIN A SPRING MEANS FOR URGING THE BLADE FORWARDLY AGAINST BLADE STOP MEANS IN APPROPRIATE SHAVING POSITION ADJACENT THE GUARD WHEN THE DRAWER IS IN ITS FORWARD POSITION.

Sept. 20, 1971 c. A. ITEN 3,605,265

RAZOR HAVING MOVABLE BLADE-CARRYING DRAWER Filed March 18, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 .mlmilmw" 4 T 'I'i-P'JllHlHIHIWHIHIilIl illmul" a l Nw I M a M Ma- -o .1 w

M l l l wl I Sept. 20, 1971 c. A. ITEN RAZOR HAVING MOVABLE BLADE-CARRYING DRAWER Filed March 18, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 S ww K m @N m, 2 cw a w. m .m\| 3N w 3 E mm m m 8 8M 23 3% I o2 a: mm m2 INS \maw l g m vm omm um F. Ba 3 s NN mv o- INK. W n umwmmmm mw w I wv v 6F p 20, 1971 c. A. ITEN RAZOR HAVING MOVABLE BLADE'CARRYING DRAWER Filed March 18. 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 H om w h ..Q\|.\ Q a 2 a r! v 1 1 3 N n #w g Q 2. & N v

United States Patent "cc RAZOR HAVING MovAisLE BLADE-CARRYING DRAWER Clemens A. Iten, Staunton, Va., assignor to Philip Morris Incorporated, New York, N.Y. Filed Mar. 18, 1969, Ser. No. 808,057 Int. Cl. B26b 21/14 US. C]. 30-64 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to razors equipped with a movable blade-carrying drawer to facilitate blade interchange and cleansing, and in particular to such razors incorporating means for insuring proper blade cutting edge exposure and correct angularity between the blade cutting edge and the razor guard.

Present single edge razors are characterized by head and handle units involving movable elements to facilitate blade interchange and cleansing. In one known type of razor, means are provided in the head and handle unit to pivot a blade-supporting bridge outwardly of the unit to permit direct interchange. In another commonly known single edge razor, a projection on a blade dispenser is forcibly inserted into the head and handle unit to create a side opening in the unit through which a new blade may be inserted. In still another form of single edge razor, a blade clamping plate or cover is included in the head and handle unit and is pivotally connected thereto for movement between its open or blade interchanging position and its closed position.

In the first and second of these known razors, while relatively simple movable structure is employed to bring about the separation of head elements required for blade interchange, blade cutting angle and exposure of the cutting edge is not closely controlled. After numerous blade interchanges, the structure does not provide an inherent assurance that the cutting parameters will be within necessary tolerances. Despite the structural simplicity, the fact remains that manufacture of these razors is complicated by the fabrication and assembly of a head and handle unit with movable constituents. Manufacture of the third discussed type of razor is even more difficult since these units employ a pinion and rack gear or like devices to. permit the pivotal displacement of the head and handle unit components required for blade interchange and cleansing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the preferred embodiment of the razor of the present invention as disclosed herein, the razor head is provided with a compartment extending from a head frontal opening to a head rearward opening, a razor bridge being secured in the frontal opening of the compartment. This compartment is further equipped with means for slidably supporting a blade-carrying drawer insertable into the compartment through the rearwad opening into a forward position wherein the blade is located for shaving. The drawer is provided with resilient members which, upon 3,605,265 Patented Sept. 20, 1971 movement of the drawer into its forward position, cause the blade cutting edge to be exposed through the bridge to a controlled extent at the proper cutting angle. Releasable latch means are embodied in the drawer for engagement with the head to secure the drawer in its position Within the compartment. While the drawer may be completely removed from the head and handle unit to accomplish blade interchange, drawer stop means may be incorporated in the head to limit the extent of drawer withdrawal to a retracted position. Further resilient means are employed to bias the drawer into its retracted position upon release of the latch means to expedite blade interchange and cleansing.

The objects and features of the razor of the invention will be evident from a consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiment thereof and from the drawings in which like numerals are employed to identify like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS- FIG. 1 is a rear plan view of the razor of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the razor of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale of a section of the razor taken along the line III of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view on an enlarged scale taken along the line IV of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is another view of the section shown in FIG. 3 illustrating the blade supporting drawer in its withdraw position.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view taken along line VI of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a section of the razor taken along the line VII of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of a section of the razor taken along line VIII of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a section of the razor taken along line IX of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The head and handle unit 10 of the subject razor, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is a unitary assembly preferably fabricated from plastic stock by conventional molding techniques. The unit comprises a handle 12 having ridges 14 to assist the user in non-slip holding thereof and a head member 16 for blade containment. As will be more clearly outlined hereinafter by reference to other figures, head 16 has a rearward opening and a frontal opening and is equipped with a hollow compartment extending therebetween. A blade-supporting drawer 18 is mounted for sliding movement through the rearward opening into the compartment, the drawer being positioned in its forward position in the compartment in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this shaving position drawer 18 is substantially flush with the rear 16a of head 16 and extends somewhat from the front 16b of the head. The drawer is equipped with a ridged thumb release 20 which engages head 16 to maintain the drawer in the forward position. Fixedly secured in head 16 is a bridge member 22. A razor blade 24 supported by drawer 18 abuts bridge member 22 in this position, the blade cutting edge being exposed through the bridge for shaving purposes. The blade may vary in character, it being here indicated as of the single edge type with a supporting backing.

The structure of head 16 may be seen in FIGS. 5 and 9. The head comprises a top wall 26', a bottom wall 28, and opposed side walls 30 extending therebetween, the walls defining a compartment 32- running from head rear aperture 34 to head front aperture 36. Top wall 26 includes an inner surface 26a which preferably tapers forwardly and downwardly from rear aperture 34 to front aperture 36, the suface including recesses 26b and 260. Side walls 30 include opposed grooves 3011 which extend inwardly from front aperture 36 contiguously with the intersections of top wall 26 and the side walls. Grooves 30a extend into compartment 32 to a point beyond top wall recess 26b. Side walls 30 further define guide tracks 38 which extend substantially throughout compartment 32 preferably parallel to head bottom wall 28.

Bridge member 22 is best illustrated in FIGS. and 6 and in the form of the invention there illustrated is fixedly secured in head 16. The bridge includes a mounting platform 40 having a lug 42 disposed in platform opening 40b, and marginal edges 44. To insert the bridge in head 16, marginal edges 44 are aligned with head side wall grooves 30a at head front aperture 36. Platform 40 is then pushed rearwardly into compartment 32, the platform upper surface 40a contacting top wall inner surface 261:, platform lug 42 deflecting said surface 26a upwardly. As the platform moves into a position wherein lug 42 passes the forward edge of top wall recess 26b, the top wall snaps downwardly, seating lug 42 in the recess and platform side extensions 43 abut against side walls 30 (FIG. 4) locking bridge 22 within head 16. In this position, platform 40 may be seen to have a portion 40c which is enclosed within head 16 and a remaining portion 40d which extends forwardly of head front aperture 36. Extending downwardly forwardly of platform portion 40d are a pair of blade stops 46, the inner surfaces 46a of which are adapted to limit forward movement of a blade. A soap bar or guard 48 is supported by blade stops 46 forwardly thereof. As may be seen in FIG. 6, bridge aperture 50 through which the cutting edge of a blade may be exposed, is defined by platform portion 40d, blade stops 46- and soap bar 48.

Referring to FIG. 5, wherein blade-supporting drawer 18 is shown withdrawn from head 16 to its retracted position, single edge blade 24 is positioned on blade-supporting platform 52 with its cutting edge 24a disposed above guide tracks 38. The drawer is preferably wedge-shaped, platform 52 tapering forwardly downwardly from drawer rear wall 53 to drawer wall 54. Incorporated in drawer 18 are resilient elements 56, which are shown in FIG. 4 to be flexible fingers formed integrally in platform 52 by removing platform material at areas 52a. These resilient elements contact the undersurface of blade 24 and during closure urge the same upwardly while they are themselves deflected downwardly into platform 52. Also upon retraction of the drawer the rear ends of the fingers 56 engage the edge of the blade backing to insure that the blade is likewise retracted. Also incorporated in drawer 18 is a second resilient element 58 shown in FIG. 5 to comprise a spring supported below platform 52 and extending upwardly above the platform through a rearward aperture 60 therein. The spring is adapted by its configuration to bias the blade 24 forwardly on platform 52, by bearing against the blade rear surface 24b.

Referring to FIG. 9, drawer platform 52 is supported by opposed side Walls 62 which terminate in drawer side bottom wall 64 which may be equipped with arcuate outer surfaces 64a contacting like surfaces 28a of head bottom wall 28, said surfaces supporting drawer 18 for sliding movement in head 16. In addition, drawer side walls 62 include flanges defining guide rails 66 extending parallel to drawer side bottom wall 64 along the length of the drawer platform (FIG. 6). These guide rails cooperate with head guide tracks 38 to limit upward movement of drawer 18 in head 16 as the drawer is slidably moved in the head.

The bottom wall of drawer 18 may be seen in FIG. 6 to comprise also a front section 68 extending between drawer side walls 62, and connected to platform 52 by drawer front wall 54. Extending between front section 68 and the side walls are a pair of curved ribs 70 defining eyelets 72. The bottom wall further comprises a pair of struts 74 extending from front section 68 to drawer rear wall 53, the struts being joined by flange 76 and equipped with ribs 78 which join platform 52 at the upper ends thereof (FIG. 7). A lip 80" is formed on the upper side of front section 68 (FIG. 5), the lip in combination with front wall 54 defining drawer aperture 82'. Drawer platform 52 includes a web 84 extending from the underside of the platform into the interior of the drawer.

Drawer 18 includes further thumb release 20 which is mounted in drawer rear wall 53 for slidable movement relative thereto. The thumb release inserted into wall 53 from below (FIG. 7), surfaces of the thumb release and Wall bearing slightly against one another to render the thumb release captive except for sliding movement up and down relative to the wall. The thumb release includes a slot 86 for reception of a latch spring 88.

The arrangement of drawer components just discussed permits simple insertion and retention of latch spring 88 in drawer 18. The spring leading edge 88a is aligned with drawer front wall aperture 82 and is inserted therein and pushed inwardly, below platform Web 84, under spring 58, above flange 76 and into latch slot 86. The extent of Sliding movement of latch 20 relative to wall 53 is thus limited and latch spring 88 is prevented from mov ing forwardly out of the drawer by lip 80 against which bears spring trailing edge 88b. It will be noted that spring 58 is forced into the position shown in FIG. 5 wherein it is compressed between latch spring 88, platform 52, platform web 84 and drawer rear wall 53. The drawer assembly is thus completed prior to its entry into head compartment.

It will be observed in the broken away portion of FIG. 7 that thumb release 20 includes a ramp 90 tapering rearwardly downwardly. At the end of the ramp, a latch 92 is formed in the thumb release. As drawer 18 is inserted into compartment 32, ramp 90 may engage the bottom wall 28 of head 16 whereupon thumb release 20 will slide upwardly with respect to drawer 18 against thumb release spring 88. A latching aperture may be provided in the rearward portion of head bottom wall to provide seating for ramp 90, thus permitting the thumb release to return to its normal position in the drawer, locking the drawer within the compartment, latch 92 engaging head 16. Raising the thumb release upwardly will effect an unlatching of the elements and removal of the drawer.

In the razor of the invention described to this point, drawer 18 is completely removable from head and handle unit 10. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the razor is equipped with several ancillary components which limit the extent of withdrawal of the drawer from the head and handle unit and provide for forcible ejection of the drawer to this extent upon release of the latch member. The first of these refinements is effected by introduction of striker element 94 into razor head 16.

The bottom of striker 94, shown in the plan view thereof in FIG. 8, comprises a base 96 from which extends a flange 98 including bifurcated arms 100. Arms 100 are equipped with outwardly extending terminal portions 102 and are flexibly attached to flange 98 to permit displacement of the arms inwardly toward one another as they are pinched, the displacement being illustrated by the dotted line showing of the arms in FIG. 8. Connected to base 96 at its lateral ends are a pair of lugs 104 (FIG. 7) and between the lugs is an intermediate section 106. As shall be presently evident, lugs 104 constitute drawer stops limiting the extent of withdrawal of the drawer from the razor head and intermediate section 106 defines the previously described head element engaging and raising thumb release ramp 90, bottom wall opening 108 immediately adjacent section 106 further defining the previously described latching aperture.

In FIGS. and 7, drawer 18 is shown partially inserted into compartment 32. With the drawer thus inserted, striker 94 is inserted into head rear track 110 below the drawer, striker arms 100 being displaced toward one another (FIG. 8, dotted line showing) by pinching the arms at the area of their joinder to flange 98. The striker is next pushed forwardly into the head with terminal arm portions 102 contacting track walls 112, the striker ultimately seating completely within the head (FIG. 8, solid line showing), terminal portions 102 snapping into track wall recesses 114 and base front walls 116 bearing against track rear walls 118. With this assembly, striker 94 is securely contained within head 16, striker lugs 104 extending upwardly into the open interior of drawer 18 below blade-supporting platform 52 (FIG. 7). Striker intermediate section 106 presents a continuation of head bottom wall 28 (FIG. 5).

Upon this insertion of striker 94 in the razor head, complete removal of drawer 18 from the head is prevented by engagement of striker lugs 104 and drawer strut ribs 78 (FIGS. 6 and 7). This retracted position of the drawer readily permits blade interchange and is further beneficial in permitting complete flushing of a blade between successive uses.

The second of the two refinements upon the basic razor assembly, that of providing forcible ejection of the drawer to its retracted position, is effected by introduction of a third resilient member in the form of torsion spring 120.

Torsion spring 120 comprises a central coiled memher 122 having a couple of turns from which extend spring fingers or arms 124. The torsion spring is preassembled to drawer 18, spring arm tips 126 engaging drawer eyelets 72 in uncompressed fashion as illustrated in FIG. 6. As this assembly is inserted into head 16, coiled member 122 nests within head aperture 108, contacting surface 28a of the head bottom wall (FIG. 3). Striker 94 is next inserted in head 16 as described above. Upon continued movement of the drawer 18 into compartment 32, torsion spring 120 is compressed by displacement of spring arms 124 by curved arms 70 of the drawer. As the drawer is latched into position within the compartment by engagement of latch 92 inside striker intermediate section 106, the torsion spring is fully compressed as shown in 'FIG. 4. Torsion spring 120' in thlS compressed condition constantly urges drawer 18 lnto its partially withdrawn position, being opposed only by the latch arrangement. In addition, in its compressed condition the torsion spring exerts through arms 124 and its confined coiled member 122 an upward force on drawer 18, urging drawer guide rails 66 against head guide tracks 38. Upon release of the latch, by upward movement of thumb release 20, torsion spring 120 forc1- bly ejects the drawer from compartment 32 into its retracted or partially withdrawn position with attendant lessening of said upward force.

It will be observed that blade cutting edge 24a 1s mdexed in proper relationship to soap bar or guard 48 by blade stops 46 and particularly by the inner surfaces 46w thereof, the blade being urged against these surfaces by second resilient elements 58. In the absence of wearresistant material in surfaces 46a it will be evident that blade cutting edge exposure and hence shaving geometry will deteriorate with blade interchange. Thus, it is essential that bridge member 22 incorporate materral at surfaces 46a which sustain repeated advances of cutting edges 24a without undue wear. In the razor illustrated in the preferred embodiment this may be accomplished 'by fabricating bridge member 22 from wear-resistant stock such as metal or high strength plastic. Alternatively, surfaces 46a may alone be equipped with wear-resistant material such as by applying a metallic insert to the surface or by applying a coating of wear-resistant material to the otherwise unprotected surface 460:.

While the razor has been illustrated in a preferred embodiment wherein bridge member 22 and drawer 18 are manufactured as separate elements insertable into razor head 16, it is within the contemplation of the invention to combine these elements in a single drawer-guard structure. In this case soap bar 48 may be secured to front wall 54 and drawer 18 with blade stops 46 extending upwardly from soap bar 48 above drawer platform 52, surfaces 46a engaging the cutting edge 24a of the blade as it is positioned on platform 52. In this type of assembly second resilient element 58 is deflected toward the rear wall 53 to permit insertion or removal of the blade.

Upon release of spring 58 it contacts blade rear surface 24b'urging cutting edge 24a against the blade stops. As the loaded drawer is then inserted into compartment 32a resilient elements 56 urge the blade upwardly against the inner surface 26a of top wall 26 to position the blade at its proper cutting angle. The particular arrangement of releasably latching the razor drawer of the preferred embodiment provides that the drawer be latched in its forward position and released or unlatched to its open position. It will be evident that the spring and latching arrangement may be modified to cause the drawer to snap closed and latch open. Other design variations and expedient combinations of the elements of the invention illustrated in the preferred embodiment will be evident to those skilled in the razor manufacturing arts and such are also within the contemplation of the in vent1on.

It should be understood that various changes may be made in the above described apparatus and that different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, and it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A safety razor comprising a handle and a head connected thereto said head being hollow with an opening extending therethrough from rear to front, a drawer slidably mounted in said opening and guided therein adapted to carry a razor blade, stop means for determining the forward position of the blade, said drawer having a forward position wherein the blade is located against said stop means for shaving, and a retracted position wherein the blade is exposed for replacement, .means for releasably latching said drawer to said head, and spring means mounted on said drawer arranged to urge the blade against said stop means.

2. A safety razor in accordance with claim 1 in which said blade stop means is mounted on a guard which is in fixed position on the head relative to said slidable drawer.

3, A razor in accordance with claim 1 in which the blade is carried on resilient means locatedat the top surface of said drawer urging the blade upwardly in said forward position of said drawer.

4. A razor in accordance with claim 1 in which the blade is carried on the top surface of said drawer and a spring means is mounted in said razor below the drawer arranged to urge the drawer upwardly.

S. A razor in accordance with claim 1 comprising further spring means for urging said drawer to said retracted position said spring means being of the coil torsion type mounted in the razor below said drawer and with a pair of spaced fingers having ends engaged with said drawer adjacent opposite side edges of said drawer respectively and including a central coiled portion, said coiled portion and fingers providing a force urging said drawer upwardly upon compression of said spring in the drawer forward position.

6. A razor in accordance with claim 1 in which said latch means is located at the rear of said drawer and adapted for ready manual operation.

7. A razor in accordance with claim 1 in which said head opening has a bottom wall for slidably supporting 7 said drawer, said drawer having guide rails extending laterally therefrom, said head including guide tracks extending into said opening, said rails and said tracks being engageable to limit upward movement of said drawer during said sliding movement.

8. A razor in accordance with claim 1 including further a bridge member having a razor guard and associated stop means, said head opening having side walls including grooves extending inwardly from said head front, said bridge further having marginal edges adapted to interfit said grooves to secure said bridge in said head.

9. A razor in accordance with claim 6 in which said latch means comprises an element mounted for sliding upward movement with respect to said drawer, said drawer containing a latch spring operative to bias said element downwardly into engagement with said head.

10. A single edge razor comprising a handle,

a head connected to said handle having a top wall, a

bottom wall and opposed side walls, said walls defining front and rear apertures in said head and a hollow compartment therebetween,

a bridge comprising a mounting platform connected to said head, a pair of blade stops and a soap bar, said platform having a first portion contacting said head top wall, and a remaining portion extending forwardly of said head up wall through said aperture, said blade stops extending downwardly forwardly from said remaining portion, said soap bar being connected to said blade stops forwardly of said platform, said platform, said stops and said soap bar defining an aperture for exposure of the cutting edge of a single edge razor blade,

a blade-supporting drawer mounted for sliding movement through said head rear aperture into said compartment, said drawer including a blade-supporting platform, first and second resilient elements and releasable latch means, said first resilient element arranged to urge a supported blade upwardly against said bridge platform and said second resilient element arranged to urge said blade forwardly against said blade stops as said drawer is slidably moved into said compartment, said latch means adapted to secure said drawer in said compartment.

11. The razor claimed in claim 10 comprising further drawer movement limiting means fixedly supported in said head and adapted to engage said drawer upon silding movement of same from said compartment through said head rear aperture to prevent complete withdrawal of said drawer from said compartment.

12. The razor claimed in claim 11 including further third resilient means connected to said drawer and said ead and urging said drawer into engagement with said drawer movement limiting means upon release of said latch means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,768,436 10/1956 Randol 30-64 OTHELL M. SIMPSON, Primary Examiner 

